Government

John Locke

689 BCE

John Locke was an English Philosopher. In 689 CE, he published a book about the natural rights held by every human being. John Locke took the social contract one step further with the Natural Theory. Locke's Ideas about natural rights helped to form the way we think about individual rights today. American colonist used this theory to support their quest for independence from Great Britain.

Ancient Greece

510 BCE

Ancient Greece was a very important civilization that existed from around 2200 BCE to 130 BCE. In our Declaration of Independence it says that the government should get their power from the consent of the governed, this idea dates back to 510 BCE, when parts of Greece became democratic.

Ancient Roman Empire

150 BCE

The Roman Empire civilization lasted from about 500 BCE to 476 CE. The start of a representative government was seen in the Ancient Roman Empire. In about 150 CE, the Roman Empire was at its highest. Origninally kings ruled Rome, but eventually turned into a form of democracy. Although it was not a true form of a representative because not all of their important officials were elected, the citizens were allowed to vote and vote out representatives.

Petition of RIghts

Jan 12, 628

Parliamentary declartion of the rights and liberties of the people, assented to Charles I in is start and considered a constitutional document second important to the Magna Carta. The document had four points; no free man should pay unless accordance with parliament, no free man imprisoned contray to the law of land, saliors and soldiers should not be billeted on private persons, and commissions to punish them by martial law should be abolished.

Iroquois

Jan 12, 1142

The Iroquois are historically powerful and important northeast Native American confederacy. They consisted of five leaders that brought the Peacemaker's message, known as the Great Law of Peace, to those fighting. The American Revolution separated them because some wanted to remain along side Great Britain.

Magna Carta

Jan 12, 1215

In 1215, The English wrote the Magna Carta and included a very important section: The King was no longer allowed to do whatever he wanted. The king was supposed to follow the "law of land" when dealing with his subjects. It was one of the first formal documents that made a king subject to lay and has had a huge influence on the United States Constitution and on other constitutions around the world. The Magna Carta set forth the ideal of having government accountable to the law.